A New Year's celebration at a popular Swiss Alps ski resort turned into a nightmare after a massive fire ripped through a bar, leaving several people dead and around a hundred injured. The tragic incident occurred at the "Le Constellation" bar and lounge in the upscale resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland.
Scene of Chaos and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of an explosion and a rapidly spreading fire. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general of the Valais Canton, confirmed the casualties but stated it was too early to determine the exact cause of the blaze. The fire was so intense that experts have not yet been able to enter the wreckage to investigate.
Local authorities have cordoned off the area and, in a significant move, imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana to facilitate rescue and investigation operations. The injured were swiftly transported to hospitals, with the regional hospital's intensive care unit and operating theatre reportedly reaching full capacity, according to regional councillor Mathias Reynard.
A Celebration Turned Catastrophe
The fire broke out during a New Year's Eve party, turning a moment of joy into one of horror. Mathias Rénard, head of the regional government, expressed the community's shock, stating, "This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare."
Officials described the blaze using the term "embrasement généralisé," a firefighting concept where a fire triggers the release of combustible gases that then ignite violently, similar to a flashover or backdraft. Interestingly, the municipality had proactively banned New Year's Eve fireworks this year due to a lack of rainfall in the past month, highlighting existing concerns about fire risks.
Location and Ongoing Response
Crans-Montana is a renowned ski destination situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, approximately 40 kilometres north of the iconic Matterhorn peak and about 130 kilometres south of Zurich. The resort is a favourite among international tourists, especially during the holiday season.
Key officials, including State Councillors and the Commander of the Valais Cantonal Police, held a press conference in the nearby town of Lens to address the media. The police continue to inspect the site as the community and the nation come to terms with the scale of the tragedy on what was meant to be the first day of the new year.
